House Resolution 1055 (RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Buckner of the 130th, Walker of the 107th, and
Mosley of the 178th

A RESOLUTION

Directing hospitals, clinics, physicians, and other health care
providers to refer patients for lymphedema treatment to a nationally
certified lymphedema therapist or oncologist and directing the
medical, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other
health related schools in this state to include training on
lymphedema prevention and treatment in the required curriculum; and
for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization cites lymphedema as the
second leading cause of disability in the world; and

WHEREAS, lymphedema is the swelling in the body resulting from an
accumulation of fluid in the tissue caused through a genetic
condition or by a disruption in the lymphatic systemìs ability to
clean and filter lymph fluid in the body; and

WHEREAS, lymphedema can occur at any time in a personìs life after an initial injury to the lymphatic system and if it is not treated
properly, it can progress and cause a high risk of infection, can
result in expensive hospitalizations and antibiotic treatments, and
can cause disabling or even fatal conditions; and

WHEREAS, lymphedema is a chronic condition requiring lifelong
management, and proper treatment can increase the patientìs quality
of life; and

WHEREAS, national certification for lymphedema therapists is
available through the Lymphology Association of North America; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia does not currently require that
lymphedema treatment be performed by certified lymphedema therapists
and anecdotal evidence suggests that many hospitals, clinics,
physicians, and other health care providers in this state do not
require that lymphedema treatment be performed by certified
lymphedema therapists; and

WHEREAS, increased awareness and knowledge of lymphedema by trained medical personnel can help minimize the effects of the condition and improve the quality of life of the patients.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that

all hospitals, clinics, physicians, and other health care providers
in this state are directed to refer patients for lymphedema
treatment to a nationally certified lymphedema therapist or
oncologist and all medical, nursing, occupational therapy, physical
therapy, and other health related schools in this state are directed
to include training on lymphedema prevention and treatment in the
required curriculum.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of
Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate
copies of this resolution to the medical, nursing, occupational
therapy, physical therapy, and other health related schools in this.

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